Monthly Chronology of Burma's Political Prisoners for July (2011)

There are a total of 1995 political prisoners in Burma. In July, 1 activist was arrested, 1 political prisoner was released.

Monthly Trend AnalysisThe information received by AAPP during the month of July reports the ongoing mistreatment and poor health conditions of political prisoners in prisons. This month, AAPP has received several cases of prisoners suffering from severe health problems caused by the inhumane and harsh conditions of detention. Many of the political prisoners are suffering from health conditions that are caused by the poor hygiene and poor quality of food that they receive in the prisons. In addition, prison authorities often deny medical care and hospitalization when it is requested and needed by the prisoners, further worsening their health condition. While the return of the ICRC to the prisons appears positive, it is important to remember that prison authorities often try to hide the true picture of the reality inside the prisons. Former political have confirmed that the ICRC is never allowed to independently interact with prisoners during visits.

Monthly Chronology July 2011

Summary of current situation

There are a total of 1995 political prisoners in Burma. In July, 1 activist was arrested, 1 political prisoner was released.

Monthly Trend AnalysisThe information received by AAPP during the month of July reports the ongoing mistreatment and poor health conditions of political prisoners in prisons. This month, AAPP has received several cases of prisoners suffering from severe health problems caused by the inhumane and harsh conditions of detention. Many of the political prisoners are suffering from health conditions that are caused by the poor hygiene and poor quality of food that they receive in the prisons. In addition, prison authorities often deny medical care and hospitalization when it is requested and needed by the prisoners, further worsening their health condition. While the return of the ICRC to the prisons appears positive, it is important to remember that prison authorities often try to hide the true picture of the reality inside the prisons. Former political have confirmed that the ICRC is never allowed to independently interact with prisoners during visits.

Since the protests in September 2007 leading to September’s Saffron Revolution, a total

of

850

activists have been arrested and are still in detention.

*

AAPP continually receives new information on political prisoners who have been released or arrested. During the month of July2011, AAPP learnt that 3 were arrested and 2 were released recently. The dates remain uncertain, and account for the discrepancyin the numbers with past chronologies.

The information received by AAPP during the month of July reports the ongoingmistreatment and poor health conditions of political prisoners in prisons. This month, AAPP hasreceived several cases of prisoners suffering from severe health problems caused by theinhumane and harsh conditions of detention. Many of the political prisoners are suffering fromhealth conditions that are caused by the poor hygiene and poor quality of food that theyreceive in the prisons. In addition, prison authorities often deny medical care andhospitalization when it is requested and needed by the prisoners, further worsening theirhealth condition. While the return of the ICRC to the prisons appears positive, it is important toremember that prison authorities often try to hide the true picture of the reality inside theprisons. Former political have confirmed that the ICRC is never allowed to independentlyinteract with prisoners during visits.Despite promised improvements of the human rights situation, the military backedThein Sein administration has arrested one more activist this month. On the 19

th

of July, AungHla Myint aka Phoe Htaung, a member of the NLD in Tatkon township and former politicalprisoner was arrested under unclear charges. AAPP is waiting to receive further information onthe case.AAPP received updates on the case of political prisoner Hnin May Aung, also known asNoble Aye, in the month of July. Prison authorities responded to her open letter demandingstate authorities to retract statements denying the existence of political prisoners in Burma bybanning family visits and holding her incommunicado in solitary confinement. This is a clear signthat the basic rights of prisoners are not respected, including freedom of expression.